Heartbroken mum of jockey Campbell Gillies speaks of his love of life and racing

CAMPBELL'S mum Lesley watched him win the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Cheltenham Festival but weeks later both horse and jockey were dead - now Lesley has paid a moving tribute to the talented Scot.

THE heartbroken mum of tragic jockey Campbell Gillies has hailed her son’s talent and passion for life.

Lesley Gillies missed the biggest win of his racing career, watching on TV as he thundered home on Brindisi Breeze in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.

But within a few weeks of that famous victory, both horse and jockey were dead.

Brindisi Breeze was killed in a freak accident after escaping from a paddock and being hit by a lorry.

Then Campbell drowned after jumping into a pool after a night out with pals in the Corfu resort of Kavos – just days before his 22nd birthday last June.

Lesley, 59, of Haddington, East Lothian, said: “You’d never have thought Campbell would end up a jockey because he used to be terrified of horses.

“Most jockeys come through pony club and things like that but Campbell started late. He was so scared he didn’t really go near a horse until he was 11 or 12.

“My daughter was a keen rider and he decided one day he would have a go on her pony, and that was it.

“He was a very obsessive person and he then became obsessive about riding and rode every day.

“He only really rode that pony and one other horse before deciding he wanted to be a jockey and left home at 15.

“I know he would have gone on to have a long and successful career.”

Heartbroken Lesley says she still thinks of her lost son – who rode for Kinross-based trainer Lucinda Russell – every day. She added: “I still have his boots sitting at my front door, he was so proud of them.

“He bought them when he was 17 and they cost a fortune. Everyone at the yard would laugh because he polished them obsessively every single day.”

Lesley said her family had been touched by the support they received following Campbell’s death.

She said: “There was lots of fundraising locally. Nearly £15,000 has been raised in his name for the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Campbell Gillies tragically died in Greece last June

“Hexham Racecourse also named a meeting Campbell Gillies Day. He rode his first winner there when he was just 16 and also rode his last race there just two days before he died.

“They also named an accommodation block The Campbell Gillies Lodge, which he would have loved.”

Lesley, a teacher at Dunbar Grammar School, said: “Even if you only met Campbell once, you would remember him. He had something you knew was very special. We miss him like mad.

“We got so many letters and cards when he died and they all had a story, like a record of his life. He packed so much in.”

Lesley is hoping the Cheltenham authorities will allow teenage singer Mark Boylan to perform a song in her son’s memory at this year’s festival in April.

Irish Mark, 15, became a sensation at last year’s meeting, performing his own racing-themed songs .

His poignant tribute A Song For Campbell has already clocked up almost 11,000 hits after being posted on YouTube just days ago.

Lesley said: “Last year I wasn’t there when Campbell won and I watched his race on TV at school.

“But if Mark gets to play his song, then the whole family will be going to Cheltenham. Campbell would have loved the song as he was a very musical person and was learning to play the piano. He was also a big fan of Mark and his music.

“His friends actually approached Mark to write the song and he was a bit worried at first because they had never met.

“But everybody shared their memories of Campbell with him.

“His brother Finlay said he didn’t want it to be too much of a dirge, and we think Mark has got the tone just right.”